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13. Staying in Beautiful ParadorA parador is a state-owned hotel in Spain. This chain of inns was founded in 1928 by the Spanish King Alfonso XIII. The unique aspects of paradores are their location and their history. Found mostly in historical buildings, such as convents, Moorish castles, or haciendas, paradores are the exact opposite of the uncontrolled development found in coastal regions like the Costa del Sol.

12. Madrid's Golden Art TriangleThe Golden Triangle of Art is made up of three important art museums that are close to each other in the centre of Madrid. The three art museums are: the Prado Museum, featuring pre-20th-century art. the Reina Sofía Museum, featuring 20th century modern art. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, historical through contemporary art.

11. Asturian CoastAccording to one count, the emeraldgreen northern Spanish region of Asturias boasts more than 600 beaches. While the coolness of the Atlantic may be a drawback for those planning on catching some sun, the beauty of many of these frequently wild and unspoiled stretches is utterly breathtaking.

10. Sierra Nevada & Las AlpujarrasThe Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in the region of Andalucia, provinces of Granada and Almería in Spain. It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts, in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine.

9. Renaissance SalamancaThe city lies by the Tormes river on a plateau and is considered to be one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. The buildings are constructed of sandstone mined from the nearby Villamayor quarry, and, as the sun begins to set, they glow gold, orange and pink.

8. Pintxos in San SebastianSan Sebastian boasts one of the best in-city beaches in Europe. It is quite unusual feeling that you can sunbathe and swim right next to major historical buildings and churches. Surfers are in abundance here.

7. La Rioja Wine CountryLa Rioja is the sort of place where you could spend weeks meandering along quiet roads in search of the finest drop. Bodegas offering wine-tastings and picturesque villages that shelter excellent wine museums are the mainstay in this region.

6. Ciudad de las Artes y las CienciasThe City of Arts and Sciences is an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia. The City of Arts and Sciences is situated at the end of the former riverbed of the river Turia, which was drained and rerouted after a catastrophic flood in 1957.

5. Madrid NightlifeThe nightlife in Madrid is one of the city's main attractions. Tapas bars, cocktail bars, clubs, jazz lounges, live music venues, flamenco theatres and establishments of all kinds cater to all. Everything from acclaimed to up-and-coming artists, singer-songwriters to rock bands, jazz concerts or electronic music sessions to enjoy music at its best.

4. Easter in SevilleReturn to Spain's medieval Christian roots and join Seville's masses for the dramatic Easter celebration of Semana Santa.Elaborate pasos of Christ and the Virgin Mary are paraded around the city to the emotive acclaim of the populace; the most prestigious procession is the madrugada (early hours) of Good Friday.

3. MezquitaThe biggest attraction in Córdoba and a truly must-see building, the Mezquita is a massive former mosque-turned-cathedral famed for its "forest" of columns topped with Islamic-style red and white striped arches among its other many architectural highlights and serves as a reminder of the glory and importance Córdoba held in medieval times.

2. La Sagrada FamíliaBarcelona's most popular and famous attraction, the Sagrada Família, is a testament to Antonio Gaudi's modernist style and quite possibly unlike any other church in the world. The texture and detail on the facades are intricate and incorporate items seen in nature (like fruit) as much of Gaudi's work does.

1. AlhambraThe Alhambra: Part fortress, part palace, part garden and part government city, this medieval complex overlooking Granada is one of the top attractions in Spain, with many visitors coming to Granada expressly to see the Alhambra. The last Moorish stronghold in Europe, the Alhambra reflects the splendor of Moorish civilization in Andalusia.